October 21, 2022

Paducah City Dock, Kentucky to Green Turtle Marina, Grand Rivers, Kentucky

The next Lock and Dam wants to lock all pleasure boats at the same time, so a group of nine of us are meeting at the Lock and Dam at 2:30 p.m.  We left Paducah around 7:15 a.m. because we want to take our time and travel at a slower mph (1,600 rpm - sipping fuel)

Heading up the Ohio river

We turned right on the Cumberland River (where the big metal object is in the picture), 

Along the way we saw many barges full of the big and small rocks that are used on the banks that came from the gravel pit.

We only met up with a barge once, and the channel was very small (they are much bigger when they are so close)!

When we got farther up the Cumberland, the view changed drastically.  Beautiful landscapes, eagles, and smooth water!

We arrived at the Barkley Lock and Dam around 2:15 and a few minutes later the rest of the group showed up.  After being scolding several times (all nine of us) to get out of the channel by the Lockmaster, we got into the Lock and went 51' up and exited the other side.  We were told early on that the Locks in this area DO NOT like "pleasure boats".

This is a picture of a bollard.  Instead of holding a line, you drape the line over the circular metal end, and you float up or down the lock.

The Green Turtle Marina was right outside of the Lock, so we have our home for the night!  We met a few other Ranger Tug owners, and they invited us to go to dinner with them.  We took a golf cart ride to the restaurant and walked back to the marina around 9:00 p.m. 

A special note:  Thanks to Gwen and Doug for the very nice surprise when we got to the marina!

So, for the people who like statistics:

• Today we traveled 43 miles and went through one lock.
• We have traveled 825 miles and put 121 hours on the engine (110 hp Yanmar) since leaving Lake City.